Bylaws related to garbage and waste

We have a number of bylaws related to garbage and trash. Below is a summary based on the most common questions we receive from Calgarians:

Single-family households are provided with green, blue and black carts. Carts can hold up to 60 kilograms. Excess is accepted for green and black carts. Extra bags cannot weigh more than 20 kilograms.

Extra yard waste can also be tied into bundles no longer than 1.25 metres (4 feet) in length with natural fibre string.

Carts should be set out by 7 a.m. on your collection day, but not before 7 p.m. the day before and be removed no later than 7 p.m. on collection day.

Sharp objects must be packaged in a puncture resistant, non-breakable container with a tight fitting lid before putting in your black cart.

All waste must be placed in proper garbage containers with handles and lids (max. 100 litres), or in a standard plastic garbage bag.

Garbage must not accumulate on your property.

Owners/occupants are responsible for maintaining their property in a tidy condition.

Collector's access to the garbage collection site must not be blocked.

All material transported to the landfill must be covered or secured in transit.

Garbage must not be burned.

Medical waste and needles must be properly packaged and made safe for collection. Place them in puncture resistant non-breakable containers with a tight-fitting lid and put in black cart as garbage.

Animal waste and sawdust need to be placed in a paper bag and rolled closed or placed in a compostable bag and tied closed and put in the green cart.

Garbage dusty materials, like street sweeping and vacuum dust, needs to be double-bagged in plastic garbage bags and then put in the black cart.

Hazardous waste, biochemical waste, dead animals, tires, automobile parts, furniture and liquids must not be set out for residential garbage collection.

Commercial waste must be set out in a commercial bin for collection.

All material transported to the landfill must be covered or secured in transit

Fines for violations of these regulations range between $125 and $1,000.

Kinds of waste

Animal waste is any kind of waste that comes from animals or from the treatment of animals. Exceptions to this include animal bodies or carcasses, and body parts of animals.

Biomedical waste includes:

human waste, including parts of the human body and tissue;

infectious human waste;

infectious animal waste.

Microbiological waste including cell cultures and specimens of microorganisms. This also includes laboratory material that has come into contact with these.

Blood and body fluid waste;

Medical sharps such as needles, syringes, scalpels, razor blades and precision knives. This also includes contaminated broken glass and laboratory materials capable of causing punctures or cuts.

General medical waste is any kind of non-hazardous medical waste. It includes soiled dressings (such as band-aids and gauze), sponges, surgery drapes, casts, catheters, disposable gloves and specimen containers. Lab coats, aprons, towels and disposable sheets are also a part in this category.

Industrial waste is any kind of waste created by commercial or industrial activities that poses health, safety, and/or environmental concerns. This form of waste includes lime, sulphur, asbestos, contaminated soil, empty chemical containers and drums, carbon, caustics, sludge, and industrial sump water.

Yard waste is waste from that comes from gardening or yard maintenance activities, such as lawn mowing and/or pruning. This kind of waste includes grass, leaves, plants, tree and hedge clippings, and sod.